Two professional arborists and two community members scaled trees in New Zealand to halt the chainsaws at a native tree cluster in Avondale. Last week footage circulated showing activist, Steve Abel narrowly escaping being hit by a falling tree while protesting. Source: Timberbiz
Arboricultural teacher Zane Wedding is dismayed at the tree destruction at Canal Rd and says the Government must return tree protection both for the sake of trees and his industry.
“The removal of tree protection has led to the carnage that’s out here and a massive dip in the skill of arborists. What happened at the start of this week in Canal Road is one of the worst things I’ve seen in 20 years of arboriculture. The Government needs to bring back tree protection – it’s terrible out here!” arboricultural teacher Zane Wedding said.
The felling of these native trees was first halted by local resident, William Lee, when he stood in front of a woodchipper on Wednesday, 8 July.
Since then more than a dozen people have occupied trees to ward off contract cutters. Five protestors were arrested last Tuesday and will appear in court on Friday 31 July.
Arborist, Hanna Luypers has been occupying the sentinel Puriri in the middle of the property while others are occupying the karaka and totara trees.
According to Steve Abel approximately 14 trees have been cut there are still around 20 sizable trees on the site including three rare Black Maire, a NZ Cedar as well as two totara and two large puriri.
Originally 46 native trees were planted by woodwork teacher Walter Burgess nearly a century ago. They have been marked for felling at the request of landowners, David and Paul Raymond, who claim it is a requirement of the sale of the land.
